Hi I'm after any advice at all really about introducing a puppy approx. 16 weeks old to my two three year old cats. They've not ever really had much to do with dogs before and are very cautious when being introduced to anything new, i.e. young children and adults etc. It usually takes them a little while and a few visits and they then show a bit more interest in whoever is around. Once they know them their fine either wanting to interact or do their own thing but until that point they can be very shy and run off.

They are both still very playful and enjoy zooming around the house and garden chasing each other and am wondering if that might help or hinder them getting along with a pup? I don't want the pup to chase them unless they instigate it later on down the line.

Has anyone done a puppy cat introduction successfully and what tips/advice would you have?

I have a baby stair gate that I was going to set up in the sitting room when the pup first arrives but should he be kept in a room to begin with?

When I used to breed puppies I had a couple that had three cats, they purchased a pup from me and he was also 16 weeks old. The only thing I could suggest to them was to keep the pup in the crate and let the cats investigate on their terms. When they are familar with his smell them you can let him out. For the first several weeks I would only allow them together when pup is on a leash! When they start to either ignore one another or intiate play, then you can supervise! I would also put the gate up and have him in an area the cats can escape from.

What breed is he? That will play a huge roll in how they will get along and what training you need to do.

Thanks for the reply Bkilgore he's a whippet so will need quite a bit of supervision and training to not chase the cats. I was thinking of getting a crate but have never used one before and never used to like the idea of them, but in this situation it might be for the best. Otherwise I would use a stair gate and not allow him upstairs so the cats have peace and come into the sitting room if they want to investigate. He currently lives with a cat so is cat safe, though I know they can be different when they see cats outside!

When thinking of a crate, I'm thinking of those very large wire kennels with the plastic floor (great visibility for the resident as well as feline and human visitors and easy to clean for you).

The baby gate is as essential as the indoor use of a tether until your puppy is reliable and your felines learn what play is acceptable to your puppy.

Lastly, until your puppy is thoroughly potty trained you may want to take him outside for relief by himself just so that he can stay focused and do his "business." After that you'll need to work with his natural prey drive... as you already know, whippets are known for it.

Oh gosh! I think you're in full some interesting stories. Puppies are very playful and high energy. Your older cats may not have the stamina to keep up with them. Cats will scratch and bite when they get too aggravated. Good luck!

When thinking of a crate, I'm thinking of those very large wire kennels with the plastic floor (great visibility for the resident as well as feline and human visitors and easy to clean for you).

The baby gate is as essential as the indoor use of a tether until your puppy is reliable and your felines learn what play is acceptable to your puppy.

Lastly, until your puppy is thoroughly potty trained you may want to take him outside for relief by himself just so that he can stay focused and do his "business." After that you'll need to work with his natural prey drive... as you already know, whippets are known for it.

Have fun, lilypie, you're in for some great times!

Thanks Azaboy the crate sounds like a good idea at least initially;...I wonder if they're hireable?

Sherry wrote:

Oh gosh! I think you're in full some interesting stories. Puppies are very playful and high energy. Your older cats may not have the stamina to keep up with them. Cats will scratch and bite when they get too aggravated. Good luck!

I'm sure we'll have our hands full to begin with. Our two cats are quite energetic so not worried about them getting worn out by a pup. I think they would just go upstairs if they had enough but will supervise any play and interactions to avoid them being aggravated as I definitely wouldn't want that.

Thanks Azaboy the crate sounds like a good idea at least initially;...I wonder if they're hireable?

You might find a used one on eBay or Amazon. Just make sure it's big enough for your pup when he's full grown in case you need it for recovery and/or temporary time outs later. My lab/heeler mix is 6 years old and she still uses hers as a safe retreat.

I haven't done this introduction myself but my sister recently did between an established 3 year old cat and a new puppy so i will try to at least share her experience!

She also used the crate technique and has found it to be very helpful. The most important thing was to make the crate a safe place for the puppy, not a punishment. So he had a little food in there, a bed and a toy or two. He was given attention while in the crate as well so that he didn't feel like he was being ignored. He is now about 10 months old and he still likes to go in the crate to sleep (with the door open) as it has become his safe place so it can defintiely be a positive thing.

His containment in the crate gave Bruce (the cat) plenty of time to walk around him and check him out under controlled circumstances rather than the initial meeting starting with being chased.

She didn't shut him in a room on his own at any point as puppies will generally pine for human contact straight away, very different from a nervous kitten!

Definitely use a baby gate so that there are always areas the cat can escape to. You can also get some that have inbuilt cat flaps to make it easier for the cat to get in and out of the area. Also make sure there are high areas that the cats can easily jump up to and then be out of reach of the dog.

Lastly, my sister made a point of saying "No" in a firm tone and taking the puppy away from the cat each time he started chasing the cat. This really took some effort as at times it was constant (not helped by the fact that my sister's dog seems a little.....slow shall we say ) but he slowly made the connection that chasing is not allowed.

Fast forward to 7 months later and they are now the best of friends. Boris the dog interacts with the cat and they do play together and sleep together.. (they also gang up on mummy and daddy together) so all seems to have gone well!

When is the puppy due to arrive?! Can we see pictures, i love puppy pictures just as much as kitten pictures :D

Oh that sounds like a really successful introduction....thanks for sharing that Piggle. I will definitely get a crate, had a look online recently and they're fairly reasonable price wise too.

piggle13 wrote:

Lastly, my sister made a point of saying "No" in a firm tone and taking the puppy away from the cat each time he started chasing the cat. This really took some effort as at times it was constant (not helped by the fact that my sister's dog seems a little.....slow shall we say ) but he slowly made the connection that chasing is not allowed.

This made me laugh!! You can just imagine it.

I thought I would be getting the puppy this week but need to hear back from the re-homing centre again, hopefully soon!! I will post some puppy photos when I get him. Thanks Piggle

Oh that sounds like a really successful introduction....thanks for sharing that Piggle. I will definitely get a crate, had a look online recently and they're fairly reasonable price wise too.

piggle13 wrote:

Lastly, my sister made a point of saying "No" in a firm tone and taking the puppy away from the cat each time he started chasing the cat. This really took some effort as at times it was constant (not helped by the fact that my sister's dog seems a little.....slow shall we say ) but he slowly made the connection that chasing is not allowed.

This made me laugh!! You can just imagine it.

I thought I would be getting the puppy this week but need to hear back from the re-homing centre again, hopefully soon!! I will post some puppy photos when I get him. Thanks Piggle

Glad i could be of some help :) and yes haha the puppy is not the sharpest tool in the box bless him but he is just so happy with life the cat is most definitely the brains of the operation in that house!

No news yet Piggle, thanks for asking. There was a possibility for this weekend or Monday but I haven't heard from the trustee yet. I keep getting excited but then no news. At this rate he's gonna be too be old to socialise with cats

Aww how frustrating!! I Hope you hear something soon! Could you try calling them to say you are concerned he will get too old to socialise if left much longer in the hopes that it speeds them up a little?

Yes I've sort of already done this and then was told it might be this weekend. I've texted the trustee again this evening but the problem is she is tied up with a very ill relative and has had very little time left for anything else. She actually has the pup with her and other dogs on a large holding. She was trying to arrange getting him to me but I guess things must have got worse her end as I've not heard a thing! I don't want to harass her when she's going through such a horrible ordeal! Hopefully hear something tomorrow.

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